Abstract: Methods and apparatus for stabilizing a bite fork in a patient's mouth. The apparatus may include an elastically deformable bite fork stabilizer. The elastically deformable bite fork stabilizer may include an elastically deformable layer, an adhesive layer on one side of the elastically deformable layer, and a removable layer adhered to the adhesive layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for treatment of teeth, including one or more dental treatment applicators having at least two walls and a floor, the walls and floor defining a well configured to accommodate at least one human dental arcade and an active agent. Furthermore, one or more energy-applying elements such as electrodes or light sources are located on at least one of the walls.

Abstract: An oral imaging system and method for acquiring dental impression scans is provided by having one or more imaging strips with illumination elements and imaging sensors that are positioned along the contour of the various surfaces of a dental tray and acquire images of the lips, teeth, and gum regions of a mouth. Fluid channels interconnecting a vacuum source or pressurized air source to openings near the imaging sensors on the dental tray are provided to reduce condensation on the imaging sensors. An extraoral extension may also be provided to acquire images of the exterior region of the lips. Furthermore, two dental trays of the present invention may be stacked together so that the entire mouth may be scanned at one time. A ramp is provided on the lower dental tray in the stacked configuration for acquiring relative jaw positions.

Abstract: An apparatus for treatment of teeth, including one or more dental treatment applicators having at least two walls and a floor, the walls and floor defining a well configured to accommodate at least one human dental arcade and an active agent. Furthermore, one or more energy-applying elements such as electrodes or light sources are located on at least one of the walls.

Abstract: A method of aligning a virtual model of an upper jaw (502) and a virtual model of a lower jaw (504) in a bite position includes matching first facial surfaces (520b) of a virtual model of a side impression (506) with facial surfaces (520a) of the virtual model of the upper jaw (502) and matching second facial surfaces (521b) of a virtual model of a side impression (506) with facial surfaces (521a) of the virtual model of the lower jaw (504). At least a portion of the first facial surfaces (520b) of the virtual model of the side impression (506) are the same as the facial surfaces (520a) of the virtual model of the upper jaw (502). At least a portion of the second facial surfaces (521b) of the virtual model of the side impression (506) are the same as the facial surfaces (521a) of the virtual model of the lower jaw (504).

Abstract: An apparatus including a bite frame and a bite shaped member is provided. The bite frame includes one or more arcuate frame elements defining an opening for accommodating a mesh element or the bite shaped member that receives a bite registration material for registering a bite impression. The bite shaped member has a geometrical body structure, upper and lower channels of configurable shapes, and upper and lower windows. The upper and lower windows are separated by a space for receiving and allowing flow of the bite registration material to register a vertical distance between the upper and lower jaws. An image processing system operably connected to the apparatus determines the three-dimensional relation between the upper and lower jaws with reference to temporomandibular joints using panoramic images of the upper and lower jaws, reference points provided by radio-opaque markers, three-dimensional scanned images of the bite impression, and three-dimensional head surface images.

Abstract: A combination tool for defining and measuring anatomical features of a patient for the fabrication of dentures. The tool includes components for preparing a double arch impression, for determining the vertical spacing of the patient's mouth, for measuring the lip, mid line and smile lines of the patient, and for determining the occlusal plane of the patient. This single tool replaces the need for a multitude of tools typically used in preparing for the fabrication of dentures.

Abstract: A combination tool for defining and measuring anatomical features of a patient for the fabrication of dentures. The tool includes components for preparing a double arch impression, for determining the vertical spacing of the patient's mouth, for measuring the lip, mid line and smile lines of the patient, and for determining the occlusal plane of the patient. This single tool replaces the need for a multitude of tools typically used in preparing for the fabrication of dentures.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, an apparatus for treating a breathing condition includes a body, a threaded member, a hook, and a receiver. The body comprises a front stop, a rear stop, and a guide extending between the stops. The threaded member couples between the stops and rotates relative to the body. The hook couples to the guide, comprises a threaded passage and an arm that engages a lower arch, and travels in a forward direction along the guide to adjust the position of the lower arch. The receiver couples to the lower arch and comprises a shelf that engages the arm of the hook. The apparatus may include an extender coupled to the receiver and providing a shelf that is more rearward than the shelf of the receiver. The apparatus may include a post that couples the apparatus to another device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a device for improving a user's breathing includes an upper arch adapted to receive at least some of the user's upper teeth and a lower arch adapted to receive at least some of the user's lower teeth. A hook having an end is coupled to the upper arch. The lower arch includes a recess adapted to receive and position the end of the hook to pull the lower arch forward to facilitate improved breathing.

Abstract: A dental impression tray having a continuous peripheral wall, including an anterior section which conforms generally to the anatomy of a person's maxillary dentition, and a posterior section having a height which is substantially less than that of the anterior wall section, and a floor adjoining the continuous peripheral wall, the floor having a substantially flat portion of arched plan shape, and an elevated portion which conforms generally to the anatomy of the person's hard palate.

Abstract: A dental impression tray includes venting in the palatal area of the tray that permits excess impression material to be expelled downward and forward as the impression material and tray are forced upward against the patient's teeth when the impression is taken. At least one vent is located along the apex of the palatal shelf portion of the tray. A pressure plate is also employed which lies substantially in the plane of the base of the tray near the back of the tray. The pressure plate provides a reduced pressure against the impression material and also provides a convenient place in the center of the dental tray for the clinician to apply upward finger pressure to control the positioning and pressure of the tray against the patient's teeth as it is applied.

Abstract: A dental tray of the present invention includes a body made from a generally fluid impervious material (preferably a closed cell foam) having a bottom and side walls to define an arched channel sized and shaped to fit over a patient's teeth. A deformable, arched gasket is fixed to the body along an upper edge of the body wall. The gasket extends inwardly from the tray body wall and defines an arched slot. The gasket inner edge contacts and seals against the patient's gums and teeth when the tray is applied to the patient's teeth to substantially prevent compounds from leaking from the sides or back of the tray during use of the tray. Preferably, two identical trays are connected together by a connector. The connector is adhered to the base of the trays, generally at a front of the trays. The connector is folded over upon itself when the two trays are inserted in a patient's mouth and define a handle. The handle extends through the patient's lips from a position generally between the patient's teeth.

Abstract: An adjustable dual dental impression tray for taking full mouth impressions, and in one form for quadrant impressions of upper and lower teeth simultaneously is disclosed. The tray has an interior section with spaced apart vertical walls adjoined by a mesh cloth extending horizontally between the walls. The walls of the interior section extend rearwardly. Anterior extension sections which comprise spaced apart vertical inner and outer walls which are joined by a mesh cloth extending between the inner surfaces of the walls which are joined at their anterior ends by a flexible connector. The mesh extends between the walls at approximately mid height and the interior section has horizontal slots extending through the walls and forwardly from the rear ends of the walls below the mesh at the mesh of the extensions to move forward to overlap the mesh of the anterior section. This permits the simultaneous taking of dental impressions of the upper and lower teeth.

Abstract: A gel tray for holding a medicament to be applied to the teeth and gums of a patient includes a handle and an opposing buckle. In one embodiment, the buckle includes a tongue portion and a retainer strip surrounding the tongue portion so as to define a narrow space between the tongue portion and the retainer strip, the narrow strip having a width less than the thickness of the handle. The handle has a tongue reception groove extending transverse to its length at a position such that the tongue reception groove is engaged by the tongue when the tray is folded. In another embodiment, slotted tabs are interfitted when the tray is folded. The tray may therefore be securely maintained in the folded state. The tray can be combined with or preloaded with a treatment agent such as a gel comprising a pharmaceutically effective amount of at least one agent for treating teeth or gums dispersed in a gel medium consisting essentially of water and an amount of a water dispersible gelling agent sufficient to form a gel.

Abstract: An apparatus for the manipulation of the mandible comprising, in one embodiment, a handle, a mouth tray for insertion into said patient's mouth and a chin rest for positioning under said patient's chin. The distance between the chin rest and the mouth tray is adjustable so as to hold the patient's mandible firmly between the chin rest and the mouth tray and permit the physician to manipulate the patient's mandible using only one hand.

Abstract: A molded, one-piece plastic dental treatment tray for applying fluoride or other medication to a patient's teeth. The tray has a pair of elongated locking flanges on one of its handles which engage the lateral edges of the other of its handles to hold the tray folded up with its two teeth receiving troughs in an aligned, assembled relationship. At least one of the handles is molded at an angle with respect to the bottom of its trough to help ensure that when the tray is folded up, the free ends of its troughs are urged into contact with each other, to enable the tray to be inserted more easily into the patient's mouth. The bottoms of the troughs are flat and smooth enough for them to move easily over each other in any direction while in the patient's mouth, so the tray will better accommodate any individual differences in the mouth, jaws or teeth of the particular patient.

Abstract: A mold for taking impressions of upper and lower jaws has a main part including a U-shaped generally flat base plate having a rearwardly concave and open U-shaped inner periphery and a forwardly convex U-shaped outer periphery, a U-shaped rim projecting transversely of the plate from the outer periphery thereof, and a handle projecting forward from the outer periphery and formed with a rearwardly open passage. This main part can be used with either an upper-jaw or lower-jaw insert. The upper-jaw insert has a U-shaped upper-jaw wall generally complementarily fittable in an engaged position with the inner periphery of the base plate to form therewith a transversely open U-shaped recess adapted to receive molding compound, a palate plate bridging the U-shaped upper-jaw wall, and a stem projecting forward from the upper-jaw wall and engageable in the passage when the upper-jaw wall and rim define the recess.

Abstract: A tray for making dental check bite records is provided with a U-shaped bite section and a raised central arch. The tray is formed of stiff but deformable metal, which is perforated in the bite section to facilitate the adherence of dental impression paste. A flange on the front of the tray facilitates centering of the tray in the patient's mouth, and serrations on the edges of the tray provide convenient gripping areas when handling the tray. A check bite record is made with each tray. After first hardening an impression of the upper teeth on the tray, a glob of quicksetting impression material is positioned on the lower side of the tray to register on a lower anterior tooth. The impression in the hardened glob is then used as a pivot point to position a patient's jaw, while slower setting material is on the tray lower surface is hardening, providing an impression of the patient's lower posterior teeth in a preferred lateral position.

Abstract: A pair of U-shaped dentition trays are joined by a bendable bridging member that is reinforced by molded portions that function to maintain the trays biased apart and in tooth contact in a person's mouth.

Abstract: A tray for making dental check bite records is provided with a U-shaped bite section and a raised central arch. The tray is formed of stiff but deformable metal, which is perforated in the bite section to facilitate the adherence of dental impression paste. A flange on the front of the tray facilitates centering of the tray in the patient's mouth, and serrations on the edges of the tray provide convenient gripping areas when handling the tray. A check bite record is made with each tray. After first hardening an impression of the upper teeth on the tray, a glob of quicksetting impression material is positioned on the lower side of the tray to register on a lower anterior tooth. The impression in the hardened glob is then used as a pivot point to position a patient's jaw, while slower setting material is on the tray lower surface is hardening, providing an impression of the patient's lower posterior teeth in a preferred lateral position.

Abstract: A pair of arcuate concavo-convex trays formed of a plastic foam material shaped to be inserted into the mouth and to encase both the upper and lower jaws. The trays are normally disposed in mirror-like opposition and joined anterior-to-anterior by a bridge member adapted to bow, bend or fold so that the exterior surfaces of the trays are juxtaposed bottom to bottom. The trays are used to receive and contain a medicament for topical application to a person's teeth, fluoride gel being a typical topical material.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for obtaining precisely registered, articulated castings of upper and lower dental impressions. The dental impressions are obtained through use of a dental tray. The tray has an upper and a lower section, each having a non-porous, bite-deformable central septum. Each tray section has a U-shaped peripheral wall. The tray sections are placed back-to-back so that the septums are in movable contact with each other. Means are provided to maintain the upper and lower tray sections in position with respect to each other once they have been adjusted. A cavity is formed in the upper or lower tray section, or both, adjacent to the anterior portion of the peripheral retaining wall. The cavity extends past the dividing septums to accommodate gross overbite and/or underbite conditions.

Abstract: A device for treating teeth with a tooth treating medium, such as a fluorine-containing agent, in which two U-shaped trough members are formed of a soft synthetic plastic. One of the trough members is designed to be applied about the upper teeth and the other about the lower teeth. The upper and lower trough members are interconnected at their bottom by a single centrally located connector element. A forwardly projecting handle on the connector element enables the device to be hygenically handled. The two U-shaped members are centered relative to each other by two sets of intermeshing ridges thereon.